Gorgeous Kitchen chefs prepare for take-off at Heathrow T2
Gee Charman (former chef at Kensington Palace and right-hand woman of celebrity chefs including The Hairy Bikers, Simon Rimmer and Gordon Ramsay); Sophie Michell (executive chef of Pont St. at Belgraves hotel), Jo Pratt (author of 'In the mood for food') and Caroline Mi Li Artiss (one of the first chefs to be discovered on YouTube) will open the 120-cover restaurant in June 2014, serving global cuisine made with British-grown produce.
The four chefs have described the new project as one of their most exciting to date. “We’re overjoyed to be flying the flag for Britain on such an international platform,” they said. “For us, The Gorgeous Kitchen is about delivering honest flavours with quality produce and great British hospitality in a warm and approachable environment.
“Essentially it’s a business lounge for non-business travellers, without the exclusivity and with real feel-good food. We want Heathrow’s passengers to feel like their holiday has just begun.”
Charman, Michell, Pratt and Mi Li Artiss have together created the menus which they hope will suit ‘every type of guest’ at the airport. Dishes will include sweetcorn & coriander fritters with sweet chilli cream cheese and king prawns; maple & bourbon-glazed pork belly with Waldorf salad; and chorizo toad in the hole.
Express menu
In addition to the a la carte offering, The Gorgeous Kitchen will offer an ‘Express’ with an extra focus on speed of service, allowing more time-pressed travellers to have a meal within 15 minutes. A gorgeous Afternoon Tea will also be available.
The dining concept has been created in partnership with HMSHost International – a creator of dining experiences for travel venues – and London-based designer Blacksheep. The space will feature an open-plan theatre kitchen, counter dining, banquette seating and airfield views.
Walter Seib, HMS Host’s chief executive, said: “The Gorgeous Kitchen was born from a vision to provide travellers with a quality restaurant and something never before-seen. I am thrilled that we are able to bring together the culinary expertise of four incredible local chefs to create this one-of-a kind full service destination restaurant in Heathrow’s new Terminal 2.”
This is the latest addition to Terminal 2 is part of a ten-year, £11 billion transformation of Heathrow Airport. Opening on 4 June 2014, the new terminal will eventually serve the 20 million passengers a year travelling through it.
